Plant Fact Sheet
INLAND SEA OATS Erosion Control Inland sea oats provides ground cover vegetation for critically eroding shaded areas, Chasmanthium latifolium thus reducing soil erosion and improving water (Michx.) H.O. Yates quality. Inland sea oats has proven salt tolerant and Plant Symbol = CHLA5 can prove useful in dune management where sunlight is not too intense.
Status Please consult the PLANTS website and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values)
Description Inland sea oats is a rhizomatous clump forming perennial with characteristic drooping panicles. The plant can reach four feet in height, but is most often shorter. The leaf blades are broadly lanceolate (up to one inch wide at base) giving it the common name broad-leafed Chasmanthium. Seed heads are borne in open panicles up to 10 inches long. The drooping panicles are initially green turning straw colored as J.S. [email protected] seed ripen. Various shades of red sometimes occur as the fruiting spikelets mature. Alternate Names Scientific names (synonym) Adaptation Uniola latifolia Michaux Range Inland sea oats is found from Pennsylvania south Common Names through Florida, in the upper mid-west to Wisconsin Indian Woodoats, Broad-leaf Chasmanthium, and south through Iowa Missouri and Kansas. In the Northern Sea Oats, wild Oats south this species ranges from Florida through Arizona. Uses Ornamental, plant used as ground cover in shady Site areas. Dried plants and seed heads popular for cut Throughout its range, inland sea oats is found in and dried arrangements. Plants used to accent open moderate or greater shade. Its adaptation varies woodland gardens. In northern part of its range from moist to well drained sites in various parts of its inland sea oats is used for texture and color contrast range. It is never found on droughty sites. In the in plantings. mid-west and north central states (region 3), this species is considered a facultative wet site species Wildlife Inland sea oats is a minor component of the growing on deep moist well drained sites. In other woodland habitat used as cover in open areas. The regions of its range inland sea oats is variously rated seed is used as food by birds and rodents. Some as upland or facultative, which is indicative of the butterflies use the leaves as host for eggs. great adaptability.
Livestock Cattle will graze inland sea oats, but Establishment accessibility and lack of abundance keep it from This species may be propagated from seed as plugs or being and important forage species. vegetatively by divisions or plugs. As an ornamental, place plants two to three feet apart along a garden border.
Plant Materials
Management Inland sea oats is moderately tolerant of drought conditions within its range of adaptation, and will accept partial shade throughout most of its range. In northern parts of its range, inland sea oats is considered a moist site species. Plants will reseed and may become aggressive if not properly managed.
Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin) None known, though it is commonly available from selected seed companies and nurseries Because of the wide range and variability in plants of inland sea oats plants or seeds should be from local sources.
Prepared By Richard H. Neill USDA-NRCS Plant Materials Center, Galliano Louisiana
Date: 23 Feb, 2007
Edited: Morris Houck, Scott Edwards, Gary Fine
For more information about this and other plants, please contact your local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS Web site
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Read about Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation Service.